Sectors with skill shortages 'will offer many graduate vacancies'

University leavers should consider which sectors currently have skill shortages when they are hunting for graduate opportunities, it was claimed today (August 25th).

The latest Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) and KPMG labour market outlook survey revealed that 45 per cent of employers are still finding it difficult to fill certain positions.

Gerwyn Davies, public policy adviser at the CIPD, explained that engineering, IT and accountancy vacancies are plentiful at present, which should help young Britons in their quest to secure a full-time role.

"In the public sector we're still seeing a shortage of doctors, nurses and social workers," he said.

"Equally, in the private sector, we are still seeing shortages in accountancy and finance, IT and, in particular, engineering. So, given the new world that we're now in, prospects can be improved by taking a note of this."

Mr Davies also suggested that graduates should continually brush up on their skills and experience where possible due to the "global" nature of the labour market.

Meanwhile, a recent study by the Association of Investment Companies revealed that 32 per cent of graduates would prioritise getting a high-paid first job over following their career goals.